Thousands of Royal Black members are to parade in ‘Last Saturday’ events along with hundreds of bands, the Institution says.

Announcing details of demonstrations at six locations across Northern Ireland on August 26, the organisation said around 17,000 members will take part.

Around 350 ‘preceptories’ will take part in processions in Comber, Antrim, Castledawson, Lisburn, Omagh and Aughnacloy.

Sovereign Grand Master Millar Farr, who will attend the Castledawson parade, said the Institution is “looking forward to the much-anticipated day in the parading calendar”.

He added: “The ‘Last Saturday’ traditionally brings the curtain down on the Loyal Order parading season and we are expecting yet another magnificent finale. The various demonstrations will offer a wonderful spectacle of culture and pageantry, attended and enjoyed by large crowds at six different venues across the Province.

Royal Black members enjoy 99s

“It has been a memorable and significant year for the Institution, perhaps most notable for our Christian ethos and our charitable outreach. We were delighted to present over £100,000 to Macmillan Cancer Support, with the substantive funds going towards a local aftercare scheme for prostate cancer patients. The Institution has also played a leading role in the ongoing commemorations in 2017 to mark the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.”

The six towns hosting 'Last Saturday' events are:

COMBER

The largest parade of the day will be in Comber where 5,000 members of the Loyal Order will be on parade. A total of 107 preceptories and approximately 100 bands will take part in the procession.

The religious service will begin at 3pm and will be chaired by Brian Hunter, County Down Grand Master. Rev Stanley Gamble will conduct the service of worship.

Assistant Sovereign Grand Master, William Baillie, will be the guest speaker.

ANTRIM

Up to 80 preceptories will take part in the demonstration in Antrim.

The main parade will assemble at Fountain Hill at 12.30pm and proceed through the town via Fountain Street, Church Street, High Street, Bridge Street and Dublin Road to the field on the Randalstown Road.

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Twenty-four preceptories will be on parade in Tyrone’s county town on the Last Saturday.

Sir Knights from Omagh, and neighbouring Castlederg and Strabane districts, will be accompanied by as many bands for the annual procession.

The event will be a special occasion for Omagh District and Omagh Olive Branch RBP 185, who both celebrate their 150th anniversaries.

The main parade will commence at 1pm and move via Crevenagh Road, Irishtown Road, Dublin Road, Market Street, High Street, John Street, James Street, Church Street, George’s Street, High Street, Bridge Street, Drumragh Avenue, Market Street and Campsie Road before returning to the Crevenagh Road for a religious service.

The platform proceedings will begin at 2.30pm and the chairman will be Stanley McFarland.

The service of worship will be conducted by County Tyrone Grand Chaplain, Rev Alan Irwin, and the preacher will be Rev Nigel Reid, an Imperial Grand Chaplain.